Laterally-adjustable excavator-boom structure



Oct. 30, 1928; 1,689,981

G. A. VAUGHN LATE RA LLY ADJUSTABLE EXGAVATOR BOOM STRUCTURE Filed Sept. 30, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet, l

ear Wax! fizz j y fiw) v mifizga V G. A. VAUGHN LATERALLY ADJUSTABLE EXCAVATOR BOOM STRUCTURE Oct. 30, 1928. .1 ,689,9 81- Filed Sept. 30, 1926 V 2 Sheets- 34 36 27 Patented Get. 30, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

enonen A. VAUGHN, or NEWTON, IOWA, AssIeNon TO THE PARSONS COMPANY, or t NEWTON, IOWA.

LATERALLY-ADJUSTABLE EXCAVATOB-BOOM STRUCTURE.

Application filed September 30, 1926. Serial No. 138,645.

My present invention relates to an excavator boom structure of the type mounted on one end of a traction driven device, and has to do particularly with the certain novel features of structure, whereby said boom is mounted for lateral adjustment on the frame.

Still a further object is to provide in such a device laterally adjustable guides adapted to be mounted over a floor or apron and adjusted with the boom, 1

With these and other objects in view, my invention consists in the construction, ar rangement and combination of the various parts of my device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out'in my claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a side elevation of an" excavating machine equipped with a laterally adjustable boom embodying my invention.

Fi ure 2 is a detail, sectionai view taken on t e line 22 of Figure 1, parts being omitted for the sake of clearness.

Figure 3 is a detail, sectional view taken on the linev 33 of Figure 2.

Figure 1 is a detail, sectional view taken on the lined-t of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a transverse, sectional view taken on the line 5 5 of Figure 3; and

Figure 6 is a detail, sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 3, illustrating the manner of applying the wrench to the adjusting mechanism.

In the drawings herewith, whereby I have illustrated a form in which my invention may be embodied, I have used the reference nu meral 10 to indicate the frame of a tractor driven excavating machine of the type having the creeping tread traction devices 11.

At the front of the frame is mounted the engine 12having its shaft connected by suitable transmission gearing, not herein specifically shown, with a counter shaft 13.

The machine has also the superstructure 10".

The boom hereinafter described is mounted at the rear of the frame in such manner 'that the boom and engine tend'to balance each other,

At the rear part of the frame are substantially spaced, inclined outwardly opening channel-shaped frame members 14, which help tosupport the boom 15 of the excavating mechanism.

The boom 15 carrying the endless chain and'bueket excavating mechanism is mounted to be hoisted and lowered in the manner disclosed in my co-pending application, Serial N 0. 138,646, filed September 30, 1926, and is likewise mounted for lateral adjustment,

The boom 15 has two inwardly opening channel members 16 and 17 (see Figures 1, 2, 3 and 5). These channel members are fastened together by particular mechanism, part of which is not here shown.

At-their upper ends, they are secured to a block or casting 18.

Pivoted on the shaft 13 are arms 19 on opposite sides of the machine. (See Figures 1 and 2.) A shaft 20 has its ends journaled 1n the upper ends of the arms 19 and also in arms 21 hereinafter referred to in greater detail.

The central part of the shaft 20 is preferably squared as indicated at 22.

Slidably but non-rotatably mounted on the squared portion 22 of the shaft 20 is a sleeve 23 on which are sprockets 2% for the chains 25, which carry the excavating buckets 26.-

Non-slidably mounted on the sleeve 23, in such manner as to permit the-sleeve however to rotate in it, is the casting 18.

It will be seen that the sleeve 23 and the sprockets 24 rotate with the shaft. 22 but may slide thereon.

On one end of the shaft 22 is a sprocket 27 on which travels a chain 28 actuated from a sprocket, not shown, on the shaft 13.

are connected by an angle bar 31, shown in- Figures 1, 2 and 3.

At their rear ends, the members 29 at their lower portions arealso connected by a pair of transversechannel bars 32. (See Figures 3 and i The lower part of the frame just mentioned is slidably mounted on the frame members 14: for slightly rocking motion in the following manner In Figure 5, I have shown secured to the members 29 and 32, a plate 33, which has a spindle 34, projecting from it.

It will be understood that these parts are duplicated on opposite sides of the machine.

The spindle 34 is mounted in a journal on which is fixed the keeper 36, which underlies the upper flange of the channel 14:. The journal 35 has projecting shoulders 37. resting and sliding on the channel 11, and provided with a downward extension 38 adjacent to the back of the channel, as shown in Figure 5.

It will thus be seen that the lower part of the frame can slide on the channel frame members 14 and has rocking motion thereon.

Mechanism 39 is provided for raising and lowering the arms 19 and thus raising and lowering the frame above described and the shaft 20 and the boom.

I have already explained the manner in which the upper end of the boom is connected with the shaft 20 for sliding movement and for permitting the rotation of the shaft and the sleeve 23 in the bracket or casting 18, while permitting the sleeve 23 to be slidably adjusted on the shaft 22. v

I will now explain the manner in which the boom is supported on the lower portion of the frame.

Secured to the channel members 16 and 17 (see Figure 5) are laterally projecting brackets 40, which carry rollers 41, which rollers travel on the channel members 32, as

shown in Figures 3 and 5.

It maybe mentioned that the frame heretofore described has the diagonal frame members 12 and 43 for rigidly bracing it.

It may also be mentioned that the boom has at its upper part, cars 44, which receive the upper ends of tie rods -15 (see Figures 1 and 2).

Spaced above its lower end, the boom 16 has secured thereto upright bracket members 46, to which the lower end of the tie rods are connected. The brackets 40 (see Figure 5) have notches 47 to receive the tie rods 45 which thus reinforce and strengthen the boom.

To take the weight of the boom off the shaft 20, and to prevent the springing of the shaft, there is mounted on the casting 18, the roller 48, which engages one of the flanges of the Z-bar 30, as shown in Figures 3 and 4.

It will, of course, be understood that the boom has at its lower end the shaft 50 on which are the sprockets 51 for the chains I will now describe the means for laterally adjusting the boom.

Journaled at its lower end in one of the brackets 40 is ashaft 52, shown in Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5.

At its upper end, the shaft 52 is journaled These pinions mesh with rack bars 56 and 57 (see Figures 5 and 3) formed on the lower portions of transversely arranged angle bars 58 and 59 rigidly secured respectively to the transverse angle frame member 31 and the Z bar 30, as shown in Figure 2.

On the shaft 52 is fixed a notched wheel (30, which may be rotated by means of a spanner wrench 61 (see Figure 6) for rotating the shaft and thus adjusting the boom laterally.

\Vhen the boom is slid laterally, the rollers 41 travel on the channel frame members 32. the roller 48 travels against the Z bar 30, and the upper end of the boom, including the bracket 18 slides on the squared portion 22 of the shaft 20.

For locking the boom in any of its laterally adjusted positions, I use bolts (32, which are selectively mounted in holes 63 and (ll in the angle bar 31 and the Z bar 30. (See Figures 2, 3 and Supported on the brackets 40 and on brackets 65 mounted on the boom (see Figures 1 and 3) are frame members (37 on which are mounted plates (58, which support the idlers 69 for the chains 25.

The adjustable mounting of the. boom, whereby it may be shifted from side to side has a number of important advantages.

Ordinarily, it is probably used in its central position.

It may, however, be desired sometimes to dig a ditch close to a telegraph pole, curb, or

other obstruction to the travel of the tractor.

By shifting the boom laterally, it can be so arranged on the frame as to enable the creeping tread to travel close to the obstruction and permit the operator to lower the boom, so as to cut the ditch very close to that obstruction. This capacity for adjustment is of great value in a general utility machine.

I provide in my present machine another feature which adds to the convenience of its use and its etliciency.

Supported on the main frame near the rear part thereof underneath the boom is an apron or floor 70. Adjacent to the forward end of the apron or floor 70. which is shown for instance in Figure 3, is the lateral conveyor 71 indicated diagramn'latically in Figure 1.

This floor helps to keep dirt from being dropped on the mechanism of the tractor device and on the main frame.

I mount on the floor a pair of shields 72 shown for instance in Figures 1, 3 and These shields are provided with flanges 73 by which they are bolted by means of bolts 74 to the floor or apron 70.

The floor or apron 70 is provided with regllo llil

lill) ularly spaced holes 75, shown for instance in Figure 2, spaced in such manner as to correspond tothe spacing of the holes 63 for the bolts 62 already referred to, so that before the boom is adjusted laterally, the shields 72 may be adjusted.

Changes may be madein the details of the construction and arrangement of the various parts-of my laterally adjustable boom, and it is my intention to cover bymy claims, any modified forms of structureor use of mechanical equivalents, which may be reasonably'included within the scope of my invention and such claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a device of the class described. a

frame, a boom, excavating mechanism carried by said boom, a shaft mounted to be bodily raised and lowered andfor rotation, a second frame pivoted to said shaft and slidably supported on said first frame, said boom being pivotally and slidably mounted on said shaft and slidably mounted on'said second frame.

2. In a device of the class described, a frame, a boom, excavating mechanism carried by said boom, a shaft mounted to be bodily raised and lowered and for rotation, a sec-- by said boom, a shaft mounted to be bodily raised and lowered and for rotation, a second frame pivoted to said shaft and slidably and pivotally supported on said first frame, said boom being pivotally and slidably mounted on said shaft and slidably mounted on said second frame. V

4. In a. device of the class described, a frame, a boom, excavating mechanism carried by said boom, a shaft mounted to be bodily raised and lowered and for rotation, a second.

and pivotally supported on said first frame,

said boom being pivotally and slidably mounted on said shaftand slidably mounted on said second frame, a rack and pinion connection between said boom and the second frame, and means for locking the boom against lateral movement with relation to the second frame.

6. In a device of the class described, a main framehaving inclined portions, a second frame, having a lower end mounted to travel and to rock on said inclined portions, arms pivoted onsaid main frame, a shaft connecting said arms and the upper end of said second frame, and a boom mounted on said sec.- ond frame and said shaft for lateral adjustment with relation to the main frame.

- 7. In a device. of the class described, a main frame having inclined portions, a sec-. ond frame, having a lower end mounted to travel and to rock on said inclined portions, arms pivoted on said main frame, a shaft connecting said arms and the. upper end of said second frame, and a boom mounted on said second frame and said shaft for lateral adjustment with relation to the main frame,

said second frame having racks at its upper and lower ends, and a shaft mounted on said boom having pinionsmeshing with said racks.

8. In a device of the class decribed, a main frame having inclined portions, a second frame, having a lower end mounted to travel and to rock on said inclined portions, arms pivoted on said main frame, a shaft connecting said arms and the upper end of said second frame. and a boom mounted on said second frame and said shaft for lateral adjust ment with relation to the main frame, said second frame having racks at its upper and lower ends, a shaft mounted on said boom having pinions mefs'l'iing with said racks, and means for locking the boom to the upper and lower parts of said second frame for preventing lateral movement of the boom.

9. In a device of the class described, a main frame having inclined portions, a second frame having a. lower end mounted to travel and to rock onsaid inclined portions, arms pivoted on said main frame, a shaft connect ing said arms and the upper end of. said sec- Inn ond frame, said second frame having side .inounted between said lower members and having-its upper end mounted on said shaftfor permitting lateral adjustment of the boom.

10. In a device of the' class described, a main frame having inclined portions, a sec.- ond frame having a lower end mounted to travel and to rock on said inc-lined portions. arms pivoted on said mainframe, a shaft connecting said arms and the upper end of said second frame, said second frame having side members, an uppertransversc member and lower, spaced transverse members, a boom mounted between said lower members and havingits upper end mounted. on said shaft for permitting lateral adjustment of the boom, said boom and the upper, transverse member of said second frame having cooperating means for supporting the weight of the boom on the second frame.

11. In a machine of the class described, a main frame, a second frame mounted to be raised and lowered thereon by a movement wherein the lower end travels in an inclined plane and the upper end travels in an are, a boom supported on the second'frame for lateral adjustment thereon, and excavating mechanism carried by the boom.

12. In a machine of the class described, a main frame, a second frame mounted thereon to be raised and lowered with relation to the first frame by a movement wherein the lower end travels in an inclined plane and the upper end travels in an are, a boom supported on the second frame. for lateral adjustment thereon, a power device on the main frame, a shaft on the second frame, means for imparting rotation from the power device to the shaft in arious adjusted positions of the second frame, an excavating mechanism on the boom, and means for transmitting power from the shaft to the excavating mechanism in the different laterally adjusted positions of the boom.

13. In a machine of the class dessribcd. a main frame, a second frame mounted to be raised and lowered thereon, a boom supported on the second frame for lateral adjustment thereon, a power shaft on the main frame, a shaft on the second frame, means for imparting rotation from the first to the second shafts. means for maintaining said shafts in equi-disfantly spaced relation in the various adjusted -positions of the second frame, an excavating mechanism on the boom, and means for transmitting power from the. second shaft to the excavating mechanism,

14-. In an excavating machine, a frame, a second frame mounted on one end of the first frame for raising and lowering and for tilting motion, a boom laterally adjustable on the second frame, excavating mechanism on the boom, a shaft journaled on the second frame, means for imparting movement to said shaft, and means for transmitting mo-' tion from the shaft to the excavating mech' anism;

15. In an excavating machine, creeping tread traction devices, a frame thereon, an engine supported on one end of said frame, a. second frame supported on the other end of the first frame for rising and lowering and for tilting motion, a boomsupported on the second frame for lateral adjustment thereon, excavating mechanism on the boom, and means for ope ating the excavating mechanism from the engine, whereby the second frame and the boom carried thereby may be held in position with the boom projected downwardly from the first frame for digging or may be raised and moved toward the engine for balancing the load on the first frame for travel.

16. In an excavating machine, a tractor device having a frame, a power plant supporteeaesi ed on one end of the frame, a second frame having a pivotal and sliding mounting on the other end of the first frame, a pair of arms pivoted at one end on the first frame and at the other end on the upper end of the second frame, a shaft journaled in the upper end of the second frame, means actuated from the power plant for raising and lowering the second frame, a boom supported on the second frame for lateral adjustment thereon, excavating mechanism carried by the boom, means for operating said shaft from the power plant, and means for operating the excavating mechanism from the shaft.

17. In an excavating machine. a creeping traul tractor having a frame, a power plant. supported on the frame at one end thereof, a second frame having pivotal and sliding mo'.'ement on the other end of the first frame, arms pivotally supported on the first frame and having aligned pivotal connection with the upper end of the second frame, means actuated from the power plant for raising and lowering the second frame, a boom supported on the second frame to be carried thereby in the rising and lowering movement of the second frame, but having lateral adjustment thereon, excavating mechanism on the boom, means including chain aml sprocket mechanism for operating the excavating mechanism from the power plant.

18. In an excavating machine, a frame. a second frame, means for slidably and pivotally mounting the second frame at substantial distances from its ends, on one end of the first frame, arms pivoted to the main frame substantially forwardly from the second frame and pivoted to the upper end of the second frame, a boom on the second frame. excavating mechanism on the boom. :1 power plant on the other end of the first frame, means operated from the power plant for raising and lowering the second frame, means for operating the excavating mechanism from the power plant, the parts being arranged so that when the second frame is lowered the boom stands in digging position substanf ially inclined from the vertical and the thrust of the boom is substantially lengthwise of the arms.

19. In a device of the class. described, a main frame having inclined port ions. :1 second frame, having a lower end mounted to travel and to rock on said inclined portions, arms pivoted on said main frame, a shaft connect ing said arms and the upper end of said second frame, and a boom mounted on said second frame and said shaft for lateral. adjustment with relation to the main frame, and meansat the upper and lower parts of the second 'frame for effecting such lateral adjustment.

20. In an excavating machine, a main frame, a power plant thereon, a second frame mounted on the first frame for sliding movement in an inclined plane and for tilting lflfi movement, a boom supported on the second frame for lateral ad uStment thereon, means for sliding and tiltmg the second frame for thus raising or lowerlng and tilting the boom, excavating mechanism on the boom, and

means for operating this mechanism from the power plant.

'21. Inv an excavating machine, a' main frame,a power plantthereon, a second frame mounted on the first frame for sliding movement in an inclined plane' and for tilting plant, and means for adjusting the boom laterally independently of its sliding and tilting movement.

Des Moines, Iowa, February 4, 1926. GEORGE A. VAUGHN, 

